Elena Philipova

The tide of global ESG investments has slowed in recent years, with 2024 marking the first year of net outflows from sustainability-focused equity funds. This trend is driven by accusations of a lack of clarity about whether the invested dollars are truly promoting sustainability; investigations suggest that only slightly more than half of this spending is directed towards sustainable companies. This shift is accompanied by a renewed focus on economic profit, as investors grow weary of the "politicisation of ESG".

Is there still a strong case for ESG or sustainability-focused investment? What works, what doesn’t, and what needs fixing?

This workshop is jointly hosted by Ethereum Climate Fund, Global Blockchain Business Council, and Consensys.

Climate change presents one of the most significant challenges of our time, with potential global damages reaching $23 trillion annually by 2050. Proactive climate action is not only cost-effective—with an estimated $4 trillion needed annually to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050—but also essential to prevent far greater economic and societal costs.

For effective climate action, the participation of the finance industry is vital. Financial institutions play a key role in driving the transition to a more sustainable future through strategic investments in decarbonisation and innovation. Climate Tech firms and infrastructure, as well as the transformation of existing firms and infrastructure, will both require partnership with FIs to create tangible impact. Governments and regulators, through supportive policies, can create the environment which fosters these advancements.

In this workshop, discover the innovative approaches organisations are adopting to create powerful opportunities for collaboration and information networking globally.